REMEMBERING OUR FILIPINO CULTURE. Lumad children perform in Tunog Bobongan: Alay sa Lumad at Kalikasan benefit concert where local artists presented songs emphasizing the life and struggle of Lumads. Photo by Ian Derf Salvaña.

As part of the Dumalongdong Mindanaw celebration, Save Our School Network (SOS Network) and Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanogon holds “Tunog Bobongan: Alay sa Lumad at Kalikasan” benefit concert yesterday, April 24, at Almendras Gymnasium.

The concert was participated by 13 local artists who performed songs depicting the life and struggle of the Lumads, particularly their fight for their right of ancestral domains.

When asked about the aim of the concert, Rius Valle, spokesperson of SOS Network, said, “Ang nag-una gyud niini nga tumong kay para mahatag ang mga impormasyon ug mga panawagan sa atong mga kaigsoonang lumad labi na ang mga bata nga gusto gyud makahuman ug eskwela. Apan dili ni nila mahimo kung padayon nga gina-militarize ug gina-kampuhan ang ilang eskwelahan.”

According to Valle, SOS Network has recorded that in the Southern Mindanao alone, there are already 52 schools used as military camps since the start of the Aquino Administration.

Juno Vegas, one of the performers from the League of Filipino Students, explained the song he interpreted entitled “Luna.”
“It describes or encapsulates yung struggle ng mga people na nag-suffer ng unjustified land-grabbing at yung kanilang subsequent na paglaban para maibalik yung kanilang lupa. Tinatalakay niya yung problemang agraryo sa Pilipinas,”said Juno Vegas.

Funds are also generated from the selling of albums, bookmarks, and other memorabilia during the concert for the benefit of the Lumads.

The Tunog Bobongan benefit concert is part of the Dumalongdong Mindanaw, a four-day gathering of Lumads from different regions of Mindanao.